2018-09-11 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                          11 SEPTEMBER 2018


10                       ESTABLISHMENT OF TEEWAH AND COOLOOLA                      WORKING      GROUP   AND
                         APPOINTMENT OF COUNCILLOR REPRESENTATIVE
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                             Chief Executive Officer, Brett de Chastel
                                   CEO’s Office

Index                              ECM/ Subject/ Councillors/Mayor – Governance and Administration

Attachments                        Nil



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Chief Executive Officer to the Services & Organisation
Committee Meeting dated 11 September 2018 regarding the establishment of the Teewah and
Cooloola Working Group and:
A.                       Note the establishment of the Teewah and Cooloola Working Group; and
B.                       Appoint the Mayor and Cr _____________ as Council’s representative on the Working
                         Group.



REPORT
Over the 2018 Easter long weekend, Councillors will recall significant media (and social media)
commentary regarding vehicles accessing and significantly damaging the vegetated dunes at
Teewah Beach. This occurred in the Noosa Shire area between the third cutting and Teewah
township and also in beach areas to the north as result of high tides and unusually high numbers
of visitors endeavouring to access the Cooloola region. These events inspired considerable
debate about access to and controls around Teewah Beach and Cooloola.
Noosa Council has ongoing concerns about the management of Cooloola, particularly in terms of
vehicle numbers, vehicle access and damage to the environment. Council’s concerns have led to
discussions with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and a subsequent briefing from
QPWS officers was provided to Councillors on 1 May 2018.
QPWS is also in the process of updating the Great Sandy Management Plan which includes the
Teewah and Cooloola areas.
The Mayor has initiated the formation of a Teewah and Cooloola Working Group. The purpose of
the Working Group is to enable roundtable discussions with all stakeholders regarding visitors,
vehicles and camping on Teewah Beach and in the Cooloola Recreation Area. The Working
Group may also provide representations to QPWS, Queensland Police, the Minister for
Environment and other relevant authorities on these issues.
It will also be beneficial to bring all of the relevant stakeholders together to discuss options to
ensure that the problems that occurred during Easter 2018 cannot arise again. The principle
focus is on the impact on Teewah Beach of too many vehicles and too much camping.
Invitations to participate in the Working Group have been extended to the following individuals
and organisations:
 Member for Gympie, Tony Perrett
 Member for Noosa, Sandy Bolton

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